Mixing device

ABSTRACT

A mixing apparatus for intermixing media adapted to flow, in which at least two containers respectively containing said media communicate on one hand with a source of pressure common to said containers and on the other hand with adjustable control valves which in turn communicate with mixing nozzle means common to said control valves, said control valves being provided with common actuating means for selectively establishing and interrupting fluid flow from said control valves to said nozzle means.

United States Patent 91 Schlidt Dec. 18, 1973 FORElGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1 MIXING DEVICE 800000000 00000 33333 99999 e ua uflfin fl 7:1222

6/1921 5/1909 Germany 12/1934 Germany 1/1936 Germany 8/1965 Great Britain............,

Related US. Application Data Continuation of Ser. No. 81,046, Oct. 15, 1970.

Primary ExaminerLloyCl L. King Attorney.1ohn W. Malley et a1.

Foreign Application Priority Data ABSTRACT Oct. 16,1969 Germany.................P 19 52095.7

A mixing apparatus for intermixing media adapted to flow, in which at least two containers respectively containing said media communicate on one hand with a source of pressure common tosaid containers and on the other hand with adjustable control valves which in [56] Reierences Cited 7 I UNITED STATES PATENTS turn communicate with mixing nozzle means common to said control valves, said control valves being pro- /308 vided with common actuating means for selectively 239/308 X establishing and interrupting fluid flow from said coni 239/413 X trol valves to said nozzle means.- ll/l970 239/413 X 3 S W M u-l 38h DEC 5009 AutJu 999 111 1.1 00/083 7542 0. 90'] 00624 3. 3233 7 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure 1 MIXING DEVICE This is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 81,046 filed Oct. 15, 1970.

The present invention relates to a mixing device, es-

pecially a portable and disposable mixing device, for mixing media which are adapted to flow at certain mixing ratios. The invention concerns particularly a mixing device asset forth above which comprises at least two containers adapted to receive the media to be intermixed, said containers being adapted to be connected on one hand to a commonsource of pressure and on the other hand through discharge conduits to a common discharge passage. l

' Stationary mixing devices have become known which are used, for instance, in the beverage industry, such as restaurants and the like. According to a heretofore known mixing device of the general type set forth above, two containers filled with the media to be intermixed are connected to a common source of pressure so as to feed from the containers two different media to a mixing valve from where the mixture passes into a mixing or tapping conduit.

3 For operating such rnixing device, a mechanically operable air pump is required as source of pressure so that this heretofore known mixing device is not suitable. for domestic use and particularly not as disposable mixing device. Inasmuch as the two containers containing the media to be mixed are futhermore continuously connected to supply lines in order, as the case may be, to. 'fill the containers and to maintain the same filled, it is also for this reason that mixing devices of this hereto fore known type are not suitable for use in households. With the heretofore known mixing device as outlined above, the mixing of the two media is effected within the mixing valve which means within the device, which fact may be disadvantageous for various media and purposes of employment.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a portable mixing device which is'simple in production, easily operated and which, above all, can be used for'household purposes.

This object and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the following specificaton in connection with the accompanying drawing illustrating an isometric view of a mixing device according to the present invention. I

The mixing device according to the present invention is characterized primarily in that the containers for the media to be intermixed and the source of pressure,

which is in the form of a container filled with a liquid adapted to produce a gas under pressure, are mounted in a common housing while control valves are arranged in the outflow conduits in a manner known per se which control valves are adapted through the intervention of a common actuating member to open and close, the common outflow passage being in the form of a mixing nozzle.

A device according to the present invention which is simple in construction and easily operated can be used in various ways, forinstance, for household purposes. The mixing device according to the invention may, however, also be employed in the chemical industry, in the cosmetic industry, by painters, etc. and, more specifically, whenever two or more media adapted to flow, especially liquids, are to be intermixed. only directly prior to theiruse and where the media are to be intermixed at a certain mixing ratio. The mixing device according to the present invention also makes it possible for the layman without employing complicated devices,

to intermix various media which when mixed will keep only for a limited time. In this connection it is also impressure to the containers have their ends leading into the containers provided with floats so that the conduit openings will always be located above the level of the content in the container while furthermore the conduits leading into the containers and to the control valves may have their ends under the load of weights in such a way that the conduit openings will always be located below the level 1 of the media in the containers. With such an arrangement there exists the possibility to make the handling of the device independent of the position in which the device is being used, namely whether it occupies a horizontal or vertical position.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the device illustrated therein comprises a housing 1 having arranged therein two containers 2 and 3 for respectively receiving the media to be intermixed. Also arranged in housing 1 is a source 4 of pressure in the form of a vessel which contains a liquid adapted to produce a gas under pressure. The vessel 4 is through conduits 5, 5a, 5b and 5c connected to the containers 2 and 3 while check valves 6 and 7 are interposed in the conduits 5b and '50. These check valves are so designed as to permit only a flow from the vessel 4 to the containers 2 and 3. Conduits 8 and 9 lead from the containers 2 and 3 respectively to two control valves 10 and 11 the throughflow openings of which are adapted from the outside to be adjusted in conformity with the desired mixing ratio. This adjustment may be effected by rotatable knobs 12 and 13 which preferably have knurled circumferential portions. The knobs 12 and 13 are preferably provided with markings or scales.

For actuating the control valves 10 and 11, for instance, for opening or closing the same, there is porvided a common actuating member 14. Outflow conduits l5 and 16 are connected to the two control valves 10 and 11. These conduits l5 and 16 end in front of or within the, region of a mixing nozzle 17 from which in response to the actuation of the actuating member 14, the mixture will flow out at the mixing ratio previously set by the rotatable knobs l2 and 13. A return force, for instance, in the form of a spring (not illustrated) acts upon the actuating member 14 so that after the actuation of the actuatingrnember 14 the latter will automatically return to its starting position while simultaneously the control valves will be closed.

The drawing merely illustrates the fundamental structure of the device according to the invention, and it is to be understood that various modifications of this device are possible. Thus, for instance, the mixing nozzle may also laterally protrude from the housing in which instance the actuating member, which may have the shape of a pushbutton, may be actuated from the top in the manner of the well known spray cans.

The housing 1 and the individual containers 2 and 3 may be so designed that they can be opened in order to be filled. Such refillable mixing device is illustrated in the drawing according to which the containers 2 and 3 are provided with removable lids. These lids may preferably be screwed onto the containers. The conduit system establishing communication between the source of pressure and the containers 2 and 3 is in the specific example shown in the drawing located outside the housing 1 so that this conduit system can function as a handle.

According to a modification, there exists the possibility of arranging this conduit system which interconnects the source 4 of pressure and the containers 2 and 3 also inside the housing 1. To this end, the housing 1 may be enlarged or the conduit system, preferably by employing flexible conduits, may be arranged adjacent to the containers.

Housing 1 and the containers may consist of transparent material so that the contents of the containers can be observed from the outside while simultaneously indicating whether a container still contains the respective medium or is empty. Various possibilities exist for connecting the individual containers and control devices in the housing 1 depending on the size and shape of these elements. Such connecting elements have not been shown in the drawing in order not unnecessarily to interfere with the clarity of the drawing.

' The individual conduits may preferaby be in the form of flexible hoses. The conduits 5, 5b and 5c may within the region of their mouths preferably be equipped with floats (not shown) in order to assure that the mouths of the conduits are always above the level of the content in the container. The conduits 8 and 9 are preferably within the region of their mouths provided with weights (not shown) in order to assure that the. mouths of these conduits are always located below the level of the content of the respective container. With such an arrangement, the position of the mixing device, in other words whether it is placed horizontally or vertically, is not critical inasmuch as it is always assured that the gas under pressure will press upon the content in the containers from above and that the conduits 8 and 9 have their mouths always immersed in the content in the containers if the container content is in the form of a liquid.

It is, of course, to be understood that the present invention is, by no means, limited to the particular structure shown in the drawing but also comprises any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

It may be added that valves adjustable as to throughflow are well known. According to a simple construction of valves 10 and 11, the valve needle thereof and the shaft of knobs 12, 13 may be provided with a wormworm wheel drive for adjusting the valve needle.

It may also be added that, if desired, the containers and conduits may be made of inexpensive plastic materials so that the entire device, after the containers have become empty, may be disposed of or at least the containers may be discarded and replaced. What I claim is:

1. A portable mixing apparatus for containing two separate liquids and discharging the same in intermixed relation comprising a portable housing,

means within said housing defining a first pressure tight chamber,

a first liquid in said first pressure chamber,

means within said housing defining a second pressure tight chamber,

chamber.

means within said housing defining a third pressure tight chamber,

a pressurized gas producing liquid under pressure within third pressure chamber,

means for communicating the pressurized gas produced in said third pressure chamber with said first and second pressure chambers to pressurize the first and second liquids respectively contained therein,

a discharge mixing nozzle carried by said housing,

means defining a first flow path for said first liquid under pressure leading from said first pressure chamber to said discharge mixing nozzle, means defining a second flow path separate from said first flow path for said second liquid under pressure leading from-said second pressure chamber to said discharge mixing nozzle,

first valve means in said first flow path adjacent said discharge mixing nozzle movable between and 'opened position permitting flow of said first liquid in said first flow path from said first pressue chamber into said discharge mixing nozzle and a closed position preventing flow of said first liquid in said first flow path past said first valve means,

second valve means in said second flow path adjacent said discharge mixing nozzle movable between an opened position permitting flow of said second liquid in said second flow path from said second pressure chamber into said discharge mixing nozzle and a closed position preventing flow of said second liquid in said second flow path past said second valve means, and

a single actuating member operatively connected with said first and second valve means for simultaneously moving the latter from the closed posiions thereof into the opened positions thereof so that said first and second liquids will simultaneously flow into said dischge mixing nozzle for mixing therein and discharge therefrom in such mixed condition.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for communicating the presurized gas produced in said third pressure chamber with said first and second pressure chambers includes check valve means permitting flow of pressurized gas from said third pressure chamber to said first and second pressure chamber but preventing flow of pressurized gas from said first and second pressure chambers to said third pressure 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said discharge mixing nozzle is of converging-diverging config uration.

4. Apparatus as defined, in claim 1 wherein said first flow path defining means includes first adjustable means therein for varying the amount of liquid flowing therethrough when said first valve means is in said opened position.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said second flow path defining means includes second adjustable means therein separate from said first adjustable means for varying the amount of liquid flowing threthrough when said second valve means is in said opened position.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said discharge mixing nozzle is of converging-diverging configuration.

but preventing flow of pressurized gas from said first and second pressure chambers to said third pressure chamber.

a second liquid in said second pressure chamber, 

1. A portable mixing apparatus for containing two separate liquids and discharging the same in intermixed relation comprising a portable housing, means within said housing defining a first pressure tight chamber, a first liquid in said first pressure chamber, means within said housing defining a second pressure tight chamber, a second liquid in said second pressure chamber, means within said housing defining a third pressure tight chamber, a pressurized gas producing liquid under pressure within third pressure chamber, means for communicating the pressurized gas produced in said third pressure chamber with said first and second pressure chambers to pressurize the first and second liquids respectively contained therein, a discharge mixing nozzle carried by said housing, means defining a first flow path for said first liquid under pressure leading from said first pressure chamber to said discharge mixing nozzle, means defIning a second flow path separate from said first flow path for said second liquid under pressure leading from said second pressure chamber to said discharge mixing nozzle, first valve means in said first flow path adjacent said discharge mixing nozzle movable between and opened position permitting flow of said first liquid in said first flow path from said first pressue chamber into said discharge mixing nozzle and a closed position preventing flow of said first liquid in said first flow path past said first valve means, second valve means in said second flow path adjacent said discharge mixing nozzle movable between an opened position permitting flow of said second liquid in said second flow path from said second pressure chamber into said discharge mixing nozzle and a closed position preventing flow of said second liquid in said second flow path past said second valve means, and a single actuating member operatively connected with said first and second valve means for simultaneously moving the latter from the closed positions thereof into the opened positions thereof so that said first and second liquids will simultaneously flow into said discharge mixing nozzle for mixing therein and discharge therefrom in such mixed condition.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for communicating the presurized gas produced in said third pressure chamber with said first and second pressure chambers includes check valve means permitting flow of pressurized gas from said third pressure chamber to said first and second pressure chamber but preventing flow of pressurized gas from said first and second pressure chambers to said third pressure chamber.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said discharge mixing nozzle is of converging-diverging configuration.
 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first flow path defining means includes first adjustable means therein for varying the amount of liquid flowing therethrough when said first valve means is in said opened position.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said second flow path defining means includes second adjustable means therein separate from said first adjustable means for varying the amount of liquid flowing therethrough when said second valve means is in said opened position.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said discharge mixing nozzle is of converging-diverging configuration.
 7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said means for communicating the pressurized gas produced in said third pressure chamber with said first and second pressure chambers includes check valve means permitting flow of pressurized gas from said third pressure chamber to said first and second pressure chamber but preventing flow of pressurized gas from said first and second pressure chambers to said third pressure chamber. 